System of potential regulation.



W. M. MGCONAHEY. SYSTEM or POTENTIAL REGULATION;

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1908.

Patented A'ug.30,1910.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY l l l l l WITN ESSES:

tial regulation,

* UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEToE.

OF PITTSEURG, FENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MSNE AS- TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0E EAST PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 10, 1908. Serial No Patented Aug. 3o, 191e.

To all whom it' may concern:

Be it known that I, VlLLIAM M. MeCoN.- AHEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Potential Regulation, of which the following .is a specification.

`My invention relates to systems of potenand it has for its object to provide a 'simple and efficient means for so combining a transformer having a plurality of dii'erent voltage taps with an induction regulator that a gradual voltage variation may be effected.

Alternating current transformers having secondary windings provided with aplu-` rality of intermediate taps are often employed in connection with suitable switching devices for securing a step-by-sep voltage variation or regulation. In or er that the change may b e relatively gradual fora Wide total variation, the number of intermediate taps in the transformer secondary becomes excessive and the switching device cumbersome and expensive. lInduction regulators having one stationary and one movable coil are also well known, but they are very expensive to construct for wide voltage variations.

According to my present invention, I employ a transformer having a subdivided secondary winding which isprovided with a moderate number of taps andconstitutes a well known regulating transformer. I also provide an induction regulator which is .capable of producing a total variation of potential equal to theI difference of potential i existing between adjacent taps in the secondar winding of the transformer. The transtormcr and the regulator arc.v so combined and their circuit connections 'so controlled by a suitable switching device that the electromotive forces supplied to an external circuit may be gradually varied over a wlde range in either direction without` producing voltage fiuctuations or current disturbances in changing from one transformer tap to another. l

The single figure or' the accompanying drinving is a diagrammatic view of a system of regulation embodying my invcntion.

Referring to the drawing, alternating cur 'with a rotatable disk rent energy is supplied from a suitable source at any desired voltage, through conductors 1 and 2 to the primary of a regulating transformer 3. This transformer is provided with a secondary winding 4 having a plurality of intermediate taps 5 to 13, inclusive. A primary winding 14 of an inductiim'regulator 15 is connected in multiple circuit to the secondary winding 4 of the transformer 3, and a secondary winding 1G of the induction regulator is connected in Aseries with one circuit conductor 17 of a variable voltage distributing circuit 17-18. Intermediate taps 5 to 13, inclusive, of the secondary winding 4 are respectively connected to contact fingers 19 to 27, inclusive, of aV drum controller v28 which comprises main drums 29, 30, and 31 and an auxiliary drum 32 and is adapted to occupy a plurality of positions a, b, o, d, and e.

The line conductor 17 is connected to contact fingers 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 of the drums 29, 30, and 31, andthe secondary winding 1G of the induction regulator 15 is connected tocontact fingers 39 and 40. The line conductor 18 is connected to one terminal 41 of the secondary winding 4 of the regulating transformer 3. -The above-mentioned Contact fingers are all associated in operation with the contact-bearing drums 2o, 3o, and si.

The contact drum 32 is engaged by a plurality of contact fingers 42, 43, 44, 45 46, and 47, all the drums forming same movable element which is urther provided with a pair of ratchets or notched strips 48 and 49 that are respectively en gaged by pawls 50 and 51. The pawls 50 and 51 are normally held in engagement with the notches of the respective ratchets by springs 52 but may be released by supplying current tol coils 55 and 56.01s electromagnets 53 and 54. The movable member of the induction regulator l5 is provided 57 having a projecting contact arm 58 and two pairs of stationary Contact terminals 59 and 60 which are bridged by the contact arm when the induction regulator occupies the one or the other of'its extreme posit-ions :c and y. The circuits for the control magnet coils 55 and 5G are governed by the position of the induction regulator and by the auxiliary switcharts or the net coil 55 to the conductor 7e.

'drums troni their position c to their t ott ondary Winding to the line conductor 1S and from on intermediate tsp 5 through conductor 6l, contact linger 19, contact member 62 lot the drum 30, contact inenihcr 63, linger 39, conductor tiel, secondary winding 16 of the induction regulator l5, conductor vG5, linger 40, Contact member GG oi control drum 3l, Contact member 6'?, linger 36 and conduct-or 58 to the line conductor l?. ln moving the controller from its oli osition to position c, there is no opposition from the pawl 5l, und it will hc observed that the paul 50 is also 'free to niovc into position c out prevents any further morcment of the drum in this direction. lt is now impossible to change the pos'tion ciLx the drums While the induction regulator 'heine moved roin position a; to position y,

it Aedeine possible, however, to return the 5 position when the induction regulator occupies position :u and to more it forward to the position o when the induction re,L occupies position gf. Auxiliary circui completed, the controller being in pos-.ion c, from one terminal orl any suiteole low-voltege source, such c shunt transformer G9 throuvn conductor T0, contact terminals ed A(Wlpcu are bridged oy ti... contactarte 58 when the induction regulator occupies posiA tion zo), conductor 7l, Contact lingers 4Q, which ere bridged hy con'tict member 72, conductor T3, magnet coil 5G, und conductor Zflto tne opposite terminal ot the transformer 69. lWhen the induction regir letor occupies position. j, en auxiliary cir cuit is completed from conductor TO thr contact terminals 60, conductor 75, contact lingers Ljf and #l5 (which 4are bridged by Contact members 76), conductor 77 and insg-- t this oint the arrangement of parts is such that the induction regulator acts in opposition to the active portion ot the secondary Winding 4 of the transformer und the regulating Windinos are so designed that the voltage induced in the secondary of the induction regulator is substantially equal to the Voltage induced ,between any two scent trans former te s. Consequently, when the induction regulator occupies position f2, end the drum controller position ovvero voltage is impressed upon circuit l'?-ll8. V

i l i i l l l i, l i l l l i i i i v Act finger roltuge is gradually increased es the induction regulator is moved from position n; to position 'y until the voltage produced i equal to the sum of that of the regulate top 5 acting in conjunction with that o the induction regulator Which is equivalent to that olf the regulator top i3. lt is new possible, es already explained, to more the drum controller to position l), and in pessing` from the one position to the other, cont' Q0 first comes into engagement with o contact member TS and Contact iingers 19 und 36 oeconic disengaged from contact members 62 und 67. ln this way, the circuit is iirst established from the trans former tap 6, through conductor T9, contact linger 20, contact members 7:3 end 80, contnct 'tlnger'33, und conductor u8 to line conductor 1?..v

As already explained, the voltage impressed upon the discharge circuit, when controller Q8 occupies position a und the induction regulator occupies position y, is equal to the voltage ot the regulator tsp 6 and, consequently,-n fluctuation -or disturbance will tolte place when the line connection is estuhlished directly through the trsrfcrirer tsp 6 und the regulator secondnry is disconnected from the circuits. llhen the controller i@ fullf,y occupies posi tion l), Contact linger 2O is disengaged from he contoctnieinher 78 and Contact linger 2l, -which connected by u conductor 8l `with the regnlctor tcp "T, mores into engagement 'with n contact member 82. 5ontuct 'linger mores into engagement with Contact inernier S3 so that circuit connections cre now established from regulator tcp 7 through conductor Si, contact linger 2l, contoct rnenioers 82- and contact finger' l0, conductor windingIl lo the regulator contuictor Gs, Contact finger 39, contact e und 83, contact linger and cuc ono@ to line conductor li'. The inlutor is thus connected to the top 7 but the terminals of its lnding are interchnnged so .that ectromotive ene transformer and, consequently, the volit'ipressed upon the line is still the sume es 2ore, oeing equal to the difference hetween t ond that ot force is opposed to that ot,

lator for restricting l switching device.

troller to its off position. if the induction regulator is moved from its position g/ to'ard its position fc, a voltage variation is effected and another forward movement of the drum controller is permitted as soon as induction regulator occupies this position. As the controller passes from position Z1 toward the position c, the transformer tap 8 is connected directly to the discharge circuit and, when this position is fully occupied, the induction regulator is made to act oppositely by again interchanging the terminals of its secondary winding and connecting it in series with a circuit which lioins transformer tap 9 with the conductor 17.

From the controller steps already outlined, 'the operation of the system may be readily understood by those familiar with the art, and I deem it unnecessar plete a. detailed description of the will be observed that it is impossible to malte a mistake in operating the system, and nistrurbances in the current, well as in the electromotiv'c force of the line, are entirely avoided. 4 l

Although l have illustrated ay preferred forni of mechanical structure for the locking mechanism which is electrically controlled, l do not desire to limit my invention in this regard, and desire that variations in circuit connections and mechanical details f to comsame. It

which do not depart from the spirit of my v invention shall be included within'its scope.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a system of potential regulation, the combination with plurality of intermediate taps, duction regulator associated with the transformer, of electro-responsive means for rendering the control of the transformer dependent upon the position of the induction regulator.

2. In a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer regulator having a plurality of intermediate taps, and a switching device for controlling the circuit connections of the regulator, of a movable coil regulator, and means dependent upon the position of the movable coil reguthe movement of the and an in- In a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer regulator, and an induction regulator, of means for so associating the operation of the two as to effect a gradual potential variation over the entire range of the transformer regulator and means for making the control of one regulator dependent upon the position of. the other.

4. In a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer having a plurality of intermediate taps, an induction regulator and a. switching device for assoa transformer having' l l l ciating the operation of the regulators, of ing the pawls.

means dependent upon the position of one of the regulators for restricting the movement of the switching device.

5. In a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer having a plurality of intermediate taps, an induction regulator and a switching device for associating' the operation of the regulators, of a pair of notched members, engaging pawls therefor, and electro-responsive means dependent upon the position of the induction regulator for selectively releasing the pawls.

6. The combination with a transformer winding having a series of variable-voltage taps, an induction voltage regulator, and a switchingv device for interconnecting said taps and said induction regulator, of means for rendering the movement of the switching device dependent upon the position of the induction regulator.

7. In a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer havino a plurality of uniformly spaced intermediate taps, an induction regulator and a switching device for associating the operation of the transformer and the regulator, the total voltage variation effected by the induction .regulator being' substantially equal to the difference in potential between adjacent taps of the transformer, of means for rendering the movement of the switching device dependent upon the position of the regulator.

8. In a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer having a plurality of uniformly spaced intermediate taps, an induction regulator and ing device for associating the operation of the transformer and the regulator, the total voltage variation effected by the induction regulator being substantially equal to the difference in potential between adjacent taps of the transformer, of means for interloc ring the operation of., the switching device and the induction /re'gulator for effecting a gradual potentialvariation over the entire range of the transformer.

9. In a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer having a plurality ofv uniformly spaced intermediate taps, an induction regulator and a switching device for associating the operation of the transformer and the regulator, the total voltage variation effected by the induction regulator being substantially equal to the difference in potential between adjacent taps of the transformer, of a controller having a plurality of stationary contact fingers and movable contact bearing drums, ratchets or notched members secured to the movable member of the controller, pawls engaging the ratchets for preventing the movement of he control drums in either direction, and means dependent upon the position of the induction regulator for selectively releasa switchi 10. ln a system of potential regulation, the combination with a transformer having, a plurality of uniformly spaeed intermediate taps, an induction regulator and` a switching device for associating the operation of thetransormer and the regulator, the total voltage variation effected by the induction re ulator being substantially equal to the di erence in potential between adjacent taps of the transformer, of a controller having a plurality of stationary contact fingers and movable contact-bearing drums, ratohets or notched members secured to the movable member of the controller, pawls engaging the ratchets for preventing the movement of the control drums in either direction, springs seater In testimony whereof, have hereunto.A

subscribed my name ythis 27th day of Dee., 1907.

VVLLAM M. MCCONAHEY.

Witnesses: v WM. i). LHOMMEDIE, BIRNEY HINES. 

